Craig is the example of what it's like to be a great friend to all, a great brother, and a great family member.

My acquaintance with Craig is a lot different from most people. I actually know Kevin. But I do have something I would like to share about how Craig inspired my life. I actually didn't even meet Kevin until a couple months ago when I went over to visit my old friends, which are Kevin's roommates at this time. From the moment I met Kevin, I thought this kid is pretty hilarious and pretty freakin' special, I don't know what it was, but we'll just call it the "X-factor" for now. But yeah, in such a small amount of time, we became friends.

Before leaving home to California for the summer, I decided to stop by the boys' home and visit. I knock on the door, and let myself in, because if anyone knows those boys, they never come to the door, they just usually yell, "Come in." So I walk in, and to my surprise, it was not who I expected to see. The room was just completely packed with Kevin and Craig's family. They were all there to celebrate Kevin's birthday. A little shocked to see the large and jolly Decker family there, I was like, "Oh, hi! I'm Gio." I spent my time walking through the house, observing the kindness that Kevin's family embraced as they gathered for this special celebration. We all gathered in the kitchen for cake, and sang to Kevin. There was just a really nice a welcoming spirit in the room that made me feel happy to be there. What I find to be so charming, was how Kevin and all his siblings came together to set up Kevin's new birthday gift, the cage of his new pet chameleon. A perfect gift for Kevin, because as weird as it may sound, a chameleon has a special and symbolic meaning that Kevin would appreciate and love.

I loved watching, Kevin's brother Craig, and the family, get so involved in setting up the new cage they bought, gathering the little bag of crickets, and twigs, and sticks. After that, on another occasion when I was in the house in a less populated setting, Craig was visiting with Kevin, and we kept passing by each other, and even though Craig knew I was a friend, I was never formally introduced. So on the stairwell of Kevin's home, I turned to Craig and said, "My apologies for never being formally introduced to you, but I'm Gio." And Craig introduced himself, and offered me to shake his left hand. Later on, I told Kevin, that he had a really nice family and I was happy to meet all of them.

In my opinion the Deckers are a really special group of people, with a special spirit that radiates through each family member. By so simple of an experience of meeting Craig and observing him interact with his family, I was able to see his bright spirit and charisma that most of you claim that he shares with all of us. Based on how close Kevin was with Craig, and how they all got along as a family, I know without a shadow of a doubt how much Kevin loved his brother. I am impressed by the love that the Decker family has for each other, and know that Kevin is a great person because he was raised in a family with such a great love for each other and such a great spirit. And I am blessed to not only meet Craig, but to have this opportunity to meet Craig, Kevin, and witness the love of the entire Decker family.

The church is true, there is a God and he loves us very much. I know our Heavenly Father loves Craig, He loves Kevin, and He loves everyone. And this is my testimony, that the gospel is real for I have felt it in my heart, and not scientific method or reason, could convince me otherwise. I know that one day we'll all be together in the after life if we commit to being worthy to live up to the highest standards that Craig has done so valiantly. I send my love to the entire Decker family.

--Gioconda Velez